Pay and benefits
Learn about the pay and conditions for ACT Education Directorate staff.
We support our staff by offering:
- opportunities to progress your career at our 92 schools
- 4 staff development days a year (student free), one at the beginning of each term
- better workloads that prioritise educational leadership, teaching and learning
- ongoing professional learning and development.
Enterprise agreements
Enterprise agreements set out the employment terms, conditions and entitlements for Education Directorate staff.
Enterprise agreements are negotiated between employees and the Education Directorate in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009.
Current agreements
To find out more about how staff are covered under ACT Public Sector enterprise agreements, go to the ACTPS Employment Portal.
Here's a summary of the classifications covered under the different enterprise agreements.
Education Directorate (Teaching Staff) Enterprise Agreement 2023–2026
- Classroom Teachers
- School Leaders (Grade A–C)
- Director School Improvement
- School Psychologists (including Senior Psychologists, Manager and Senior Manager Clinical Practice)
The pay rates for teaching staff and school psychologists are listed under Annex A–Classifications and rates of pay. Go to the ACTPS Employment Portal.
Administrative and Related Classifications Enterprise Agreement 2023–2026
- Administrative Service Officers (1–6)
- Senior Officer (Grade A–C)
- School Assistant (2/3, 3, and 4)
- Graduate Administrative Assistant
- Indigenous Trainee.
The pay rates for administrative staff are listed under Annex A–Classifications and rates of pay. Go to the ACTPS Employment Portal
Infrastructure Services Enterprise Agreement 2023–2026
- Building Service Officer (1–4)
- Facilities Manager (GSO 10)
- General Service Officer (Level 2–10)
- Cleaning Services Officer (1–4)
The pay rates for infrastructure services are listed under Annex A–Classifications and rates of pay. Go to the ACTPS Employment Portal
Technical and Other Professionals Enterprise Agreement 2023–2026
- Infrastructure Officer (1–5)
- Infrastructure Manager/specialist (1–3)
- Professional Officer (Class 1–2)
- Senior Professional Officer (Grade A–C)
- Technical Officer (Level 1–4)
- Information Technology Officer (Class 1–2)
The pay rates for technical and other professionals are listed under Annex A–Classifications and rates of pay. Go to the ACTPS Employment Portal
Health Professional Enterprise Agreement 2023–2026
- Health Professional (Level 1–6)
The pay rates for health professionals are listed under Annex A–Classifications and rates of pay. Go to the ACTPS Employment Portal
Support Services Enterprise Agreement 2023–2026
- Allied Health Assistant (1–3)
The pay rates for support services staff are listed under Annex A–Classifications and rates of pay. Go to the ACTPS Employment Portal
Pay and benefits by role
New educators
New educators receive a range of teaching and professional development support including:
- a starting salary of between $88,615 to $101,278 from January 2025
- reduced face-to-face teaching time
- the comprehensive New Educator Support Program
- paid practicum leave for Restricted Permit to Teach teachers in their final year. Practicums help students gain practical, in-classroom experience in an ACT public school setting.
Experienced teachers
Experienced teachers enjoy a faster pathway to the highest pay increment plus ongoing professional development opportunities:
- Experienced teachers will earn a starting salary from $105,498 to $125,582 from January 2025.
- A better classification structure and new increment for experienced teachers.
- Financial support up to $10,000 for further education, training or research through the ACT Teacher Scholarship Program.
- We also offer incentives for recently retired teachers to return to work (Teacher Quality Institute and Working with Vulnerable Persons fees).
- Paid professional learning for casual teachers.
School leaders
- earn $142,082 as a school leader C (executive teacher) from January 2025
- earn $164,592 as a school leader B (deputy principal) from January 2025
- earn a salary of $187,299 to $215,432 from January 2025 for a school leader A (principal).
Casual administrative support staff
Casual administrative or support staff role are paid at a daily or hourly rate. This is under Section B14 in the Administrative and Related Classifications Enterprise Agreement 2023–2026 found on the Enterprise Agreements - ACTPS Employment Portal.
Additional benefits for all ACT Government employees
ACT Government employees also receive:
- higher superannuation, increasing to 12.5% from 1 January 2026
- improved leave provisions, including:
- increased birth leave
- assisted reproductive leave
- enhanced bonding and primary caregiver leave.